Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen was first published two-hundred years ago in 1813. Despite now celebrating its bi-centenary the book continues to be popular with readers of all ages around the world. The book tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, the second of five daughters of a country gentleman who live together in comfort in the fictional town of Meryton, near London. Pride and Prejudice provides an enduringly popular insight into the social highs and lows of love, marriage, manners, morality and social standing in early 19th century rural England. Over the last two centuries Jane Austen has been adored by authors and critics alike. However, the literary criticism of her work has not always been glowing in its praise, including that of noted American author, Mark Twain, who in 1898, wrote “I often want to criticize Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can't conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Every time I read Pride and Prejudice I want to dig her up and hit her over the skull with her own shin-bone.”